Whitlockite is a rare calcium magnesium phosphate mineral found primarily in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its rhombohedral crystal forms, which are often associated with other phosphate minerals in etched cavities or massive pods.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareWhitlockite Group family

Whitlockite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this whitlockite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch whitlockite with a known reference. Whitlockite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Whitlockite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Whitlockite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellowish, pinkish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Whitlockite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Whitlockite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5).

Often found alongside whitlockite

Minerals reported to co-occur with whitlockite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₉(Mg,Fe²⁺)(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.12 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Gray Yellowish Pinkish
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Indistinct
Fluorescence: Often Fluorescent White or Yellow Under UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen

Where rockhounds find whitlockite

Classic worldwide localities

New Hampshire, USA
Bavaria, Germany
Yukon, Canada
Brazil

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where whitlockite typically forms. If you start seeing apatite, triphylite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify whitlockite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, gray, yellowish.

Where is whitlockite found?+

Notable localities include New Hampshire, USA; Bavaria, Germany; Yukon, Canada; Brazil.

How much is whitlockite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like whitlockite?+

Whitlockite is most often confused with Apatite, Brushite, Gorceixite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with whitlockite?+

Whitlockite commonly co-occurs with Apatite, Triphylite, Siderite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does whitlockite form in?+

Whitlockite typically forms in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is whitlockite used for?+

Whitlockite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find whitlockite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.